Help with the retirement send-off
Who are you celebrating?
Start with the person. Find a gift that suits them, words that sound like you, and a way to bring everyone together.
The decisions
before the day
- Set a comfortable budget
- Decide what you can give before choosing a gift. A workplace collection should leave people free to contribute what suits them.How much to spendOrganise a group collection
- Work out who is giving
- A shared gift, something from a close friend, or simply a card. Your relationship helps you decide.Retirement gift etiquette
- Choose the kind of send-off
- Ask whether they would enjoy a gathering or prefer a quiet goodbye. Plan the presentation around their answer.Ideas for the leaving day
A worked example
A colleague's last afternoon
A small team, a shared card and a few words before everyone heads home. Adapt this to the person you know.
Bring it together
- Beforehand: pass the card around privately and give everyone time to add a message.
- On the day: ask one person to say a short thank-you. Keep any speech comfortable for the retiree.
- If there is a gift: explain the thought behind it. Check names and details before ordering.
If you would like a gift to go with it
Put their working life into words.
A name print can suit a colleague whose career you want to recognise. It uses their name, profession, years of service and where they worked beneath a fixed “Happy Retirement” heading.
The personal message belongs in your card; the print has its own set of details. Check those details together before ordering.
Read about personalised retirement gifts →